AFTER being on the run for more than six years, Carlton Blake is finally in custody for his involvement in the murder of gold miner Cleveland Smithet.

Smithet was killed during an armed robbery along a trail at Five Star Backdam, North West District (NWD) in December 2011.

Blake, who was recently nabbed by the police, was scheduled to appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, November 2, to answer to the charge of murder, but unfortunately, the accused contracted tuberculosis (TB.)

The unrepresented man arrived with at the court with a mask over his face and was placed in isolation. Although Blake made no appearance in the courtroom, a medical practitioner, who is treating him, addressed the court.

The practitioner explained that Blake has to undergo two years of treatment as a result of TB. The prisoner also suffers from kidney problems due to high blood sugar.

The chief magistrate ordered that Blake be admitted to the hospital and kept under police guard.

The magistrate further ordered that Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore seek further advise in the case and adjourned the matter until December 4.

According to reports, at about 08:00hrs on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Five Star Backdam, Cleveland, 37, of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway and his brother, Trevor Smithet, 39, were on their way out of the hinterland location, in the company of the owner of a mining operation, when they were held at gunpoint by two men.

The gunmen demanded gold and were given a quantity of the raw mineral but apparently not satisfied with that, they shot Cleveland Smithet.

Trevor Smithet and the dredge owner began to run and the robbers discharged rounds hitting Trevor Smithet on his right foot and he fell.

The shooters then pursued him and dealt him several blows to the head and body while the dredge owner escaped.